AdversitySample

Let’s talk about King David. His story is well-known amongst many believers, and it is a great one of adversity and triumph. A shepherd boy who spent years tending to and protecting his flock, fighting off lions and bears that would carry off his sheep. The Lord used David’s time as a shepherd to develop him into the man who would defeat the Philistine champion, Goliath. This was only the beginning for David. Just before this battle with Goliath, he received a promise from God through the prophet Samuel, who anointed him as King. However, David did not step into his role as King of Israel for 20-25 years after this anointing.

Why is this significant? God may give you a promise today, but you may not see that promise come to fruition for YEARS after the promise is given. Although we may want that promise to happen immediately, we may not be ready. David, when anointed as King of all Israel, was nowhere near prepared. The Lord needed to groom him to become the man He required him to be as a King. Although loved by King Saul, David experienced a significant number of trials under King Saul’s reign. Obviously, this was all a part of God’s plan. Referring back to our plan on “Servant Leadership,” have any of you been under a leader who made you better because they were so hard to work for?

In 1 Samuel 19:10 NIV, Saul’s jealousy of David’s successes in battle became overwhelming, and he tried to kill David: “Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall.”

Then later in 1 Samuel 23:14 NIV it says: “David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the desert of Ziph. Day after day, Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

Imagine what David was thinking over the next 20-25 years as God put him through a significant amount of adversity, especially under Saul, whom he thought loved him. “Any day now, I’ll be King,” he must have thought. Do you think David lost heart at times as he faced the trials God planned for him? Of course he did. Are there promises from God in your life that you’ve yet to see fulfilled? Take heart and face each trial as an opportunity to take one step closer to becoming the person God wills you to be. Ask God to reaffirm those promises and to open your eyes to the opportunities he’s providing for you to grow.